Yarn tensioning device



Oct. 9, 1951 E. A. WENTZ ,5 0 7 YARN TENSIONING DEVICE Filed May 17, 1950 I 2 SheetS-Sheet l.

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8. ATTORNEY Oct. 9, 1951 E. A. WENTZ 2,570,617

YARN TENSIONING DEVICE Filed May 17. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EDWARD A Wff/TZ BY ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 9, 1951 YARN TENSIONING DEVICE Edward A. Wentz, Jersey City, N. J.. assignor to Specialties Development Corporation, Belleville, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application May 17, 1950, Serial No. 162,427

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to yarn tension compensating devices, and, more particularly, relates to a device for uniformly tensioning yarn in preparation for treating the same in accordance with a process such as disclosed in my copending application for United States-Letters Patent, Serial Number 46,526, filed August 27, 1948.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for putting a relatively high uniform tension in a strand of yarn.

.Another object is to provide such a device which is adapted to uniformly tension a plurality of strands of yarn.

Another object is to provide such a device wherein all the strands are substantially uniformly tensioned'by compensating for variations in input tension.

Another object is to provide such a device which does not damage or otherwise impair the yarn.

Another object is to provide such a device which will not tension the yarn in excess of a predetermined value.

Another object is to provide such a device which is readily threaded and operates practically automatically.

A further object is to provide a device of the foregoing character which is simple in construction and is economical to manufacture and assemble.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

In accordance with the invention, the foregoing objects are accomplished by providing a device generally comprising a roll having a peripheral yarn receiving groove, an arm having a yarn guide at one end, means for pivotally mounting the arm, a snubbing roller mounted on the arm positioned to extend into the groove, and adjustable resilient means for urging the arm in a direction to cause the roller to extend into the groove and engage the yarn. The roll may have any desired number of grooves, and an arm and roller are provided for each groove. Excessive tensioning of the yarn may be prevented by mounting the roller on an arm which is pivotally mounted on the first arm and is connected therewith by resilient means adapted to yield when the pressure of the roller on the yarn in the groove exceeds a predetermined value. The extent of movement of the arms is limited by stop means, and threading of the device is facilitated by mechanism for moving the roll away from therollers.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description, and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Figure l is fragmentary perspective view of a yarn tensioning device in accordance with the invention, the lower portion thereof not being shown.

iigure 2 is a plan view of the device, with a portion of the top broken away.

Figure 3 is an enlarged schematic view of oneset of the yarn tensioning elements, illustrating the operation of the device.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 on Figure 3, illustrating a roller positioned in a groove of the roll.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 on Figure 3, illustrating a detail of the yarn tensioning elements.

Referring to the drawings in detail, there is shown a device for. tensioning a plurality of strands of yarn, for example, fifty strands, it being understood that the features of the device shown may be embodied in, other devices designed to tension a single strand or any other desired number of strands of yarn.

The device comprises a base or supporting structure having a generally rectangular top or platform l0 and upright legs H, l2,i3 and H at the corners thereof (Figure 1). The legs H and 12 are channel shaped and each has a slot (5. in the web at the upper end thereof. A pin,

shaft or axle l6 extends horizontally through.

a horizontal bar or rod 26 having its ends secured.

to the side members, respectively, adjacent their upper ends and having yarn guide fingers 2i thereon.

The upper shaft 2I'has a roll 3|! mounted or sprocket 3| at one end thereof adapted to be driven by suitable drive mechanism (not shown) to rotate the shaft and the roll. The yarn is drawn over the roll 3|! as indicated by the arrows applied thereto in Figure 3 by mechanism not shown herein. and the roll 33 is caused to retate in the direction in which the yarn is drawn but at a somewhat slower surface speed than the lineal speed of the yarn whereby sliding friction between the roller and the yarn tensions the latter.

The roll 30 has a plurality of spaced peripheral grooves 32 for receiving the yarn Y .to be tensioned. Fifty of such grooves are shown herein, which are arranged in live groups of ten and which each face an opening between a pair of yarn guide fingers 21.

In accordance with the invention, yarn tensioning means cooperate with the roll 30 which include a plurality of arms 34 corresponding in number to the grooves 32 in the roll. These arms are pivotally mounted and arranged side by side in groups on a rod 35 which is supported by a series of brackets 36 secured to the top It, the rod 35 being parallel to the roll supporting shaft 2|.

As illustrated more particularly in Figures 3 to 5, the arms 34 each comprise a pair of arm members 31 and 33 pivotally mounted on a bushing 40 having a side flange 4| and a retaining ring 43 secured thereto for connecting each set of arm members as a unit and the bushing having the rod 35 extending therethrough.

The arm members 31 extend upwardly a substantial distance above the roll 30 to provide a desired mechanical advantage, and the upper portions thereof are curved to extend over the roll and each have a yarn u de 42 at the free end thereof. A stop, such as pin 44, is provided on each of the arm members 31 between the upper end and the pivot rod 35.

The arm members 38 are shorter than the arm members 31, and each has its upper end 45 formed and arranged to engage the pin 44 of the arm member 31 associated therewith under the influence of resilient means such as a spring 46 connected to the lower ends of each set of arm members 31 and 38. Each of the arm members 33 has a snubbing roller 41 rotatably mounted thereon intermediate the upper end thereof and the pivot rod 35 for extending into a groove 32 crime roll 30.

The arm units 34 are each urged in a direction to cause the rollers 41 to engage and arrply pressure on a strand of yarn in the grooves 32 by a spring 43 having one end connected to the lower end of the arm member 31 and having its other end connected to the side of the top opposite the roll 30. Preferably, the springs 49 each are arranged to adjust the tension thereof by a threaded sleeve 50 having the spring attached thereto and a bolt or screw 5| anchored on the supporting structure and extending into the sleeve, whereby threading of the sleeve 50 on the bolt 5! results in adjustment of the effective tension of the spring. In this manner. the tension springs are adjustable individually to cause each arm unit 34 through its roller 41 to apply the same tensioning force on the strands of yarn.

The rollers 41 are freely running, but by reason of being u ed towards the roller 30 due to the force of the springs 43, the rollers 41 apply pressure on the yarn to. urge it against the roller 33 in a manner to increase the sliding friction between the yarn and the roller 30, whereby the rollers 41 in a sense can be said to produce a snubbing action.

In order to limit the pressure which can be applied by the rollers 41 on the yarn, the springs 46 are somewhat weaker than the springs 49 and are thereby adapted to yield and permit pivotal movement of the-arm members 31 and 36 with respect to each other when the tension applying force of the springs 49 becomes excessive. In this manner, the rollers "are prevented from applying an excessive snubbing force which might impair the yarn.

To further guard against impairment of the yarn, the grooves 32 in the roll have a generally semi-circular base 52 and the rollers have a generally cylindrical peripheral surface 54 (Figure 4). By contacting the yarn with smooth cylindrical surfaces, the yarn is subjected to snubbing pressure without damagingthe surface thereof.

As shown in Figure 3, the yarn passes under the roll 30, upwardly between the roll and a roller 41, and over a yarn guide 42, wherebya desired output tension is put into the yarn. Should the output tension exceed its desired predetermined value, the upper portion of the arm member 31 is moved slightly clockwise, as viewed, about its pivot rod in opposition to the spring 49, and carries with it the arm member 33 by reason of the stop pin 44 to move the roller 41 slightly outwardly of the groove 32 to lessen the snubbing effect thereof on the yarn, whereby the output tension is adjusted to its desired predetermined value.

Excessive movement of the arm units 34 in such a clockwise direction is prevented by a rod or bar supported between the'brackets 36, parallel to and below the rod 35, which is adapted to be engaged by the lower ends of the arm members 38.

In the event the input tension of a strand of yarn should suddenly become of a high value, for example, due to snag n at its source of supply, the arm 31 for such strand is moved'in a clockwise direction until its arm member '38 engages the bar55, whereby the roller 41 of the arm member is moved away from the roll 30 a considerable distance. Should the strand be subjected to a tension causing it to break, the spring 49 will rock the arm in a counterclockwise direction and the roller 41 will re-enter its groove 32 and pinch the yarn therein. Damage to the yarn is prevented when this occurs, in spite of the rapid return of the arm under the influence of its spring, by reason of the pivoted mounting of the arm and its arm member and the spring 46 connecting the ends of the arm and the arm member. For example, when the roller engages the yarn, movement of the arm member stops and the inertia force of the arm tending to rock it relatively in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the arm member is opposed by the force of the spring 46 which thus functions as shock absorbing means.

As previously mentioned, the springs 46 have another advantageous function in that they prevent excessive pressure on the yarn by the rollers 32 should the springs 43 be overloaded. Should such a condition exist, the springs 46 will yield and the arms 31 will be rocked in a counterclockwise directlon with respect to the arm members 38 by the springs 49, whereby the pressure applied to the yarn by the rollers 32 will be limited 7:; by the weaker springs 45.

In order to facilitate threading the yarn in the grooves 32 of the roll 30, the frame supporting the roll shaft 2| is arranged to be rocked about its pivot pins II in a direction to move the roll away from the rollers 41 of the arm units. The arm units are prevented from following the rolls by a rod or bar it supported between the brackets 36, parallel to the rod 55 but at the opposite side of the lower ends of the arm units, which is adapted to be engaged by the lower ends of the arm members 31 (Figure 3).

Suitable mechanism for so rocking the frame may comprise a pair of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders 59 (only one of which is shown) each having one end pivotally connected at 60 adjacent the legs l3 and I4, respectively, a piston in each cylinder (not shown), and a piston rod 6| extending outwardly of each piston and havin its freeen'd joumalled to the shaft 24 of the frame at 62. The pistons in the cylinders are adapted to be moved simultaneously and in either direction, to move the roll outwardly and to return the same, under the control of a suitable valve 6!, operated by a handle 65. The valve is operatively connected to a pressure medium supply line 66 and to the cylinders in any conventionalmanner.

the yarn, andare readily threaded. The device is rugged in construction and can withstand such rough usage to which it may normally be subjected'without replacement or repair of parts.

As various changes may be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the parts herein, without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not inany limiting sense. i

I claim:

1. In a yarn tensioning device, a roll having a peripheral yarn receiving groove, an arm having a yarn guide at one end, means for pivotally mounting said arm, a roller mounted on said arm posltionedto extend into said groove with the yarn between said roller and the bottom of said groove, and resilient means for urging said arm in a direction to cause said roller to extend into said groove and apply pressure on yarn in the groove.

2. In a yarn tensioning device, a roll having a peripheral groove, an arm having a yam guide at one end, means for pivotally mounting said arm, a roller mounted on said arm positioned to extend into said groove, resilient means for urging said arm about its pivot in a direction to cause said roller to extend into said groove, and stop means for limiting the pivotal movement of said arm.

' 4. In a yarn tensioning device, a roll having a at its upper end, means for pivotally mounting said arm adjacent its lower end, a roller mounted on said arm adjacent its pivot and positioned to extend into said groove, a spring connected to the lower end of said arm for urging said arm about its pivot in a direction to cause said roller to extend into said groove, and a stop adjacent each side of the lower end of said arm for limiting the pivotal movement thereof.

5. In a yarn tensioning device, a roll having a peripheral groove, an arm member having a yarn guide at its upper end, means for pivotally mounting said arm member adjacent its lower end, said arm member having a stop between its pivot and its upper end, a second arm member pivotally mounted on'said last means having its upper end positioned to' engage said stop, a roller mounted on said second arm member adjacent its pivot and positioned to extend into said groove, resilient means connecting the lower ends of said arm members for urging the upper end of said second arm member against said stop, and resilient means connected to the lower end of said first arm member for urging said arm members in a direction about their pivot to cause said roller to extend into said groove.

6. In a yarn tensioning device, a roll having a peripheral groove, an arm having a yarn guide at one end, means for pivotally mounting said arm, a roller mounted on said arm positioned to extend into said groove, resilient means for urging said arm in a direction to cause said roller to extend into said groove, and means for moving said roll away from said roller.

7. In a yarn tensioning device, a pivotally mounted frame, a roll rotatably mounted on said frame and having a plurality of peripheral grooves, a plurality of arms corresponding in number to said grooves each having a yarn guide at one end thereof, a common pivot for mounting said arms, a roller mounted on each arm positioned toextend into one of said grooves, resilient means for each of said arms for urging the same in a direction about said pivot to cause its roller to extend into its groove, and means for rocking said frame about its pivot to move said roll away from said rollers.

8. In a yarn tensioning device, a pivotally mounted frame, a roll rotatably mounted on said frame and having a plurality of peripheral grooves, a plurality of arms corresponding in number to said grooves each having a yarn guide at one end thereof, a common pivot for mounting said arms, a roller mounted on each arm positioned to extend into one of said grooves, a spring for each of said arms for urging the same in a direction about said pivot to cause its roller to extend into its groove, means for individually adjusting the eifectiveness of each of said springs. and means for rocking said frame about its pivot to move said roll away from said rollers.

9. In a yarn tensioning device, a pivotally mounted frame, a roll rotatably mounted on said frame and having a plurality of peripheral grooves, a plurality of arms corresponding in number to said grooves each having a yarn guide at the upper end thereof, a common pivot for mounting said arms adjacent the lower end thereof. a roller mounted on each arm positioned to extend into one of said grooves, resilient means for each of said arms for urging the same in a direction about said pivot to cause its roller to extend into its groove, stop means positioned for engagement by thelower ends of said arms to peripheral groove, an arm having a yarn guide 75 limit the pivotal movement thereof, and means for rocking said frame about its pivot to move said roll away from said rollers.

10. In a yarn tensioning device, a pivotally mounted frame, a roll rotatably mounted on said frame and having a plurality of peripheral grooves, a plurality of arms corresponding in number to said grooves each having a yarn guide at the upper end thereof, a common pivot for mounting said arms adjacent the lower end thereof, a roller mounted on each arm positioned to extend into one of said grooves, a spring for each of said arms connected to the lower end thereof for urging the same in a direction about ,said pivot to cause its roller to extend into its groove, a rod adjacent each side of the lower ends of said arms, said rods being parallel to said pivot and serving as stops for limiting the pivotal movement of said arms, and means for rock- --ing said frame about its pivot to move said roll away from said rollers.

11. In a yarn tensioning device, a pivotally mounted frame, a roll rotatably mounted on said frame and having a plurality of peripheral grooves, a plurality of arm members corresponding in number to aid grooves each having a yarn guide at the upper end thereof, a common pivot for mounting said arm members adjacent the lower end thereof, each of said arm members having a stop between its pivot and its upper end, a second arm member for each of said first arm members mounted on said pivot and having its upper end positioned to engage said stop, a roller mounted on each of said second arm members and positioned to extend into one of said ;to extend into its groove, and means for rocking said frame about its pivot to move said roll away from aid rollers.

12. In a yarn tensioning device, a pivotally mounted frame, a roll rotatably mounted on said frame and having a plurality of peripheral grooves, a plurality of arm members corresponding in number to said grooves each having a yarn guide at the upper end thereof, a common pivot for mounting said arm members adjacent the lower end thereof, each of said arm members having a stop between its pivot and its upper end, a second arm member for each of said first arm members mounted on said pivot and having its upper end positioned to engage said stop, a roller mounted on each of said second arm members and positioned to extend into one of said grooves, a spring connecting the lower ends of each et of first and second arm members for urging said second arm member against said stop, a spring connected to the lower end of each of said first arm members for urging the same in a direction about said pivot to cause its roller to extend into its groove, means for individually adjusting said last mentioned springs, means for rocking said frame about its pivot to move said roll away from said rollers, and stop means engageable by the lower ends of said first and second arm members for limiting the pivotal movement thereof.

13. In a yarn tensioning device, a roll having a plurality of peripheral grooves, a plurality of arms each having a yarn guide at one end, a common pivot for mounting said arms, a roller mounted on each of said arms positioned to extend into a groove of said roll, and resilient means for urging each of said arms about said pivot to cause its roller to extend into its groove.

14. In a yarn tensioning device, a roll having a plurality of peripheral grooves, a plurality of arms each having a yarn guide at one end, a common pivot for mounting said arms, a roller mounted on each of said arms positioned to extend into a groove of said roll, resilient means for urging each of said arms about said pivot to cause its roller to extend into its groove, and common stop means for limiting pivotal movement of said arms.

15. In a' yarn tensioning device, a roll having a peripheral groove, an arm member having a yarn guide at one end, means for pivotally mounting said arm, a second arm member pivotally mounted adjacent said first arm member, a roller mounted on said second arm member positioned to extend into said groove, and resilient means for urging said arm members in a direction to cause said roller to extend into said groove.

16. In a yarn tensioning device, a pivotally mounted frame, a roll rotatably mounted on said frame and having a plurality of peripheral grooves, a plurality of arm members corresponding in number to said grooves each having a yarn guide at one end thereof, a common pivot for mounting said arm members adjacent the other,

end thereof, a second arm member pivotally mounted adjacent each first arm member, a roller mounted on each of said second arm members positioned to extend into one of said grooves, resilient means for said first arm members for urging the same in a direction to cause said rollers to extend into their groove, and means for rocking saidframe about its pivot to move said roll away from aid rollers.

EDWARD A. -WENTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

